Illuminated lock keyhole means



ILLUMINATED LOCK KEYHOLE MEANS Filed May 9, 1958 INVENTOR.

Russel/ 5. Go/m QQKQBWM/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 31 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a means for'illuminating keyholes to lock and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an electric light in direct communication with the keyhole of a look so that the light shines outwardly through the keyhole to its outer extremity;

Second, to provide a lock means of this class in which the support for the light is made an integral part of the lock structure and communicates directly with the keyhole through the key receiving washers and cylinder;

Third, to provide a means of this class which is applicable for use in connection with the lighting or starting lock for automobiles or for door looks or similar structures;

Fourth, to provide a means of this class which may be controlled by the light circuit or otherwise;

Fifth, to provide a means of this class which is applicable for use in connection with the tumbler or washer locks; and

Sixth, to provide a means of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, easy to apply, efiicient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of an automobile ignition lock with my means applied in relation thereto shown mounted on a fragmentary portion of a dash of an automobile; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same taken from the line 22 of Fig. 1 but omitting the dash of the automobile; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken from the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing some of the parts in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the keyhole light and socket removed from its casing and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a fragmentary portion of my means taken from the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawing:

The lock tumbler casing I, light extension casing 2, key receiving tumblers 3, key receiving cylinder 4, insulation cylinder 5, switch member 6, insulation plate I, lamp bulb socket 8, and

lamp bulb 9 constitute the principal parts and portions of my illuminated lock keyhole means.

The lock disclosed and described herein is designed for use as an ignition lock for automobiles, but it is obvious that my lighting means may be used in connection with other classes of looks.

The casing I is cylindrical in form provided with a threaded exterior Ia at one end adapted to be threaded into a socket D on the dash D of the automobile. It is provided with a bore lb in which is mounted the key receiving cylinder 4 at its front end as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawing. It is provided with a key receiving slot 4a which communicates through slot 4b shown best in Fig. 5 of the drawing with a slot la in the casing I shown best in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawing. Mounted in this key receiving cylinder 4 is a plurality of tumbler members 3. In this case there are shown five, each supported in an upward position by means of springs 40, all of which are conventional and are adapted to be operated by the key for locking and unlocking the lock, and it will be noted that the slots 4b and lo are out directly through the cylinder 4 and the tumbler members, thus providing direct communication through the slot Ic, 4b and the keyhole 4a This casing I is provided with a smaller bore Id in which is mounted an insulated plug member 5. This plug member 5 is provided with a central recess 5a in which is" mounted a pin Ea which extends inwardly from the switch member 6 and around which is mounted a spring 6b tending to hold the' member 6 outwardly into engagement with the insulation plate I which insulation plate is mounted in the backwardly extended end of the casing I and it is provided with contact members Ia which connect with wires 'Ib whichconnect with any lighting system to be controlled by the lock. The cylinder 4, tumblers 3 and springs 40, insulation cylinder 5, switch member 6, insulation plate I are of conventional type and no part of my present invention. Integrally connected with the one side of the casing I is the light extension casing 2 which is preferably positioned on a slight angle from a right angle to said casing and it is hollow cylindrical in form and mounted in this member 2 is a lamp bulb socket 8 and lamp bulb 9 which are of conventional type, it being noted that the bulb 9 is positioned in close proximity to the cylinder 4 and tumblers 3 are cut away to provide direct light communication from the lamp bulb 9 to the keyhole 4a.

The wires So, from the socket 8 may communicate with the electric light circuit from which the wires lb and lb are connected or may be separately connected as desired. It will be here noted that when the bulb 9 is lighted, the light is directed through the slot lo, 41) and outwardly through the key receiving slot 4a so that it is illuminated so that anyone can readily find the keyhole for operating locks.

It will be further noted that this ldck may be used for various purposes as desired.

Though I have shown and described a particu 7' lar construction, combination and arrangementof parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scopeof my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set'forth' in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an illuminated lock keyhole means of the class described, the combination of a lock tumbler casing provided with light conducting slotted tumblers therein, a light transmitting opening in the side wall of said lock tumbler casing communicating with the slots in said tumblers, said lock tumbler casing provided with a lock keyhole arranged to conduct light passing through said tumblers and a light bulb in communicatiye-relation with said light transmitting opening in said lock tumbler casing. Q

2. In an illuminated lock keyhole means of the class described, the combination of a lock tumbler casing provided with light conducting slotted tumblers th erein',a light transmitting opening in theside wall of said lock tumbler casing communicating with the slots in said tumblers, said lock tumbler casing provided with a lock keyhole arranged to conduct light passing through said tumblers, a light bulb in communicative relation withsaid light transmittingopening in said lock tumbler casing, a casing for said light bulb positioned on one side of said lock tumbler casing.

RUSSELL S. GOHN. 

